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The Peralta Colleges celebrated a very special Flex Day to kick off a new semester and welcome our new Chancellor, Jowel Laguerre. Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined the festivities, filling the packed Odell Johnson Theater with words of encouragement and inspiration. Board President Meredith Brown, faculty members and staff leadership also spoke at this joyous event!

The Peralta family was treated to an outstanding performance by the Jiklele dance group, hosted by Laney’s very own dance department.

We look forward to a new semester with more fantastic happenings at Peralta and a heartfelt welcome to Chancellor Jowel Laguerre. Many thanks to Congresswoman Barbara Lee and her staff for sharing this momentous day with us!

Upcoming Afro-Cuban Master Dance Workshops at Laney College will be taught by the renown Dolores Perez of Afro-Cuba de Matanzas and Ana Perez of Los Munequitos de Matanzas! Dance for a vibrant life!

ALL LEVELS WELCOME. NO DANCE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

Instructor Bios:

Ana Herrera Perez:
Ana Perez Herrera has been the lead vocalist and dancer for Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, since 1980. Los Muñequitos de Matanzas is one of the highest regarded masters of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and dance, especially known for Rumba.

Ana grew up with a rich family culture, a descendent of the Villamil Family, who developed artistically the seat of Afro-Cuban Folklore. She is not only an accomplished rumba dancer, highly sought after for classes and workshops worldwide, but her distinctive voice, has added an essential dimension to the Muñequitos sound, with her ease of singing in a very high range.

Dolores Perez Herrera:
Dolores Perez is one of Cuba’s greatest singers and dancers from the province of Matanzas. She was one of the founding member of Afro Cuba de Matanzas and can be heard on all of their recordings. She is best known for her performances on Caridad

An Omo Ochun and a Madrina to many, Dolores was featured in Afrocuba’s 1987 trip to the Smithsonian Folkway Festival.

Dolores is an ahijada of her aunt Tomasa Villamil, the Matriarch of the Villamil family. Tomasa’s grandparents were two musicians from Oyo, Nigeria, the old imperial Yoruba capital. They were kidnapped and brought over to Cuba in the 1880’s. The family has given Matanzas many of its best musicians, singers, and dancers.

Prior to joining Afrocuba, Dolores sang and danced with Los Portuarios, La Imaliana, and in the Carnival Comparsas in Matanzas. In addition to her overwhelming talents as a singer, Dolores is also a well-respected teacher of dance.

She has lead and participated in Afro-Cuban folkloric workshops world wide; both by invitation and while touring with Afro Cuba de Matanzas.

Laney College’s Dance Department presented “Nutcracker International”, a new take on the classic ballet. Artistic Director Priya Shah worked with several Choreographers to create a home-grown Nutcracker centered in Oakland, California.

Peralta Colleges

Peralta Community College District is comprised of Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College. Together they provide northern Alameda County a range of educational programs and life-long learning opportunities.